Environmental activists in Turkey are being targeted with mafia-like tactics, facing escalating threats and smear campaigns as they resist industrial projects that threaten local ecosystems, as revealed in a comprehensive report by Turkish journalist Bahadır Özgür published by Gazete Duvar on Saturday.
In his report focusing on Muğla, Turkey, and the recent escalation of environmental protests and attacks, both official and unofficial, against the protestors, Özgür exposes a disturbing trend where local environmental activists are systematically targeted and criminalised for opposing industrial projects that threaten the region’s biodiversity and communities.
In Deştin, a picturesque area known for its ‘bal ormanı’ (honey forest), the struggle against the establishment of a cement factory and quarry pits spans over three decades. In spite of legal victories such as recent court decisions in favour of local residents, Muğla Çimento A.Ş. (Muğla Cement Ltd), under the ownership of Cemal Karakurt, continues to push forward with its plans, backed by what Özgür describes as a coordinated campaign of intimidation and misinformation.
The tactics employed include labelling activists as “terrorists” and making allegations of links to armed groups, and then ensuring this ‘information’ is published by local media aligned with corporate interests. Such accusations not only tarnish people’s reputations but also endanger the safety of those involved in the environmental movement. “The use of mafia-like tactics to silence dissent is becoming alarmingly commonplace,” notes Özgür.
Local communities, supported by political figures such as the leader of Muğla City Council Ahmet Aras, have voiced strong opposition. Aras recently visited Deştin and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the residents in their fight against environmental degradation. He stated, “We stand with the people of Muğla against these unjust projects that threaten our natural heritage and way of life.”
The situation in Muğla reflects a broader struggle across Turkey, where environmental activists face increasing threats and challenges in protecting natural resources from unchecked industrial expansion. Thpough the protestors have full public supportand have won legal victories, the battle for environmental justice in Muğla continues to intensify as corporate interest groups continue to try to smear environmental activism as terrorism.
